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5th Northern Ireland Assembly facts for kids

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5th Northern Ireland Assembly
← 4th Assembly 6th Assembly →
Overview
Legislative body Assembly
Jurisdiction Northern Ireland
Meeting place Parliament Buildings,
Stormont
Term 5 May 2016 – 25 January 2017
Election 2016 assembly election
Government Executive of the 5th Assembly
Members 108
Speaker Robin Newton
First Minister Arlene Foster
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness
Sessions
1st 12 May 2016 – 24 January 2017

The Fifth Northern Ireland Assembly was a group of people chosen to make laws for Northern Ireland. These people are called Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). They were either elected by the public on 5 May 2016 or later chosen to fill a spot if someone left.

The Assembly is like Northern Ireland's own parliament. It helps decide how Northern Ireland is run. This particular Assembly started its work on 12 May 2016.

Only three main groups formed the government at that time: the Democratic Unionist Party, Sinn Féin, and one Independent Unionist. They worked together in the government, which had nine departments instead of the usual twelve. Other big groups, like the Ulster Unionist Party, Social Democratic and Labour Party, and Alliance Party, decided not to join the government. Instead, the Ulster Unionist Party and the Social Democratic and Labour Party became the first official opposition. This means they challenged the government and offered different ideas.

When the Assembly first met, they chose Robin Newton from the Democratic Unionist Party to be their Speaker. The Speaker is like a referee who makes sure meetings run smoothly and everyone follows the rules.

How Many Members Each Party Had

The Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 members in total. After the election in May 2016, here is how many members each main political group had. The numbers changed slightly by January 2017.

Party Designation May 2016
election		 Jan 2017
end
● Democratic Unionist Party Unionist 38 36
● Sinn Féin Nationalist 28 28
♦ Ulster Unionist Party Unionist 16 16
♦ Social Democratic and Labour Party Nationalist 12 12
♢ Alliance Party of Northern Ireland Other 8 8
♢ Green Party in Northern Ireland Other 2 2
♢ People Before Profit Alliance Other 2 2
♢ Traditional Unionist Voice Unionist 1 1
● Independent Unionist 1 1
♢ Independent Unionist 0 1
Speaker None 0 1
Total 108
Roles at commencement: ● = Northern Ireland Executive (66); ♦ = Assembly Opposition (28); ♢ = Other opposition (13).

How the Parties Looked

These pictures show how the different political parties were represented in the Assembly at different times. It's not where they actually sat, but it gives you an idea of their strength.

  • NIAssembly20160505

    At election, 5 May 2016

  • NIAssembly20160512

    12 May to 18 Dec 2016

  • NIAssembly20161218

    18 Dec 2016 to end

Changes in the Assembly

Sometimes, members of the Assembly change. This can happen if someone leaves and a new person takes their place, or if a member decides to join a different political group.

New Members Joining (Co-options)

When an MLA leaves their job, another person from the same party can be chosen to take their place without a new election. This is called a "co-option."

Date co-opted Constituency Party Outgoing Co-optee Reason
18 August 2016 North Antrim Sinn Féin Daithí McKay Philip McGuigan Daithí McKay resigned.
7 December 2016 Belfast West Sinn Féin Jennifer McCann Órlaithí Flynn Jennifer McCann resigned.

Members Changing Parties

Sometimes, an MLA might change which political group they belong to during their time in the Assembly.

Date Constituency Name Previous affiliation New affiliation Circumstance
12 May 2016 Belfast East Robin Newton DUP Speaker Robin Newton was chosen as the Speaker of the Assembly. The Speaker usually steps away from their party role to be fair to everyone.
18 December 2016 Strangford Jonathan Bell DUP Ind U Jonathan Bell was suspended from his party, the DUP. This meant he became an independent member.

Images for kids

  • BelfastEastConstituency

    Belfast East Constituency

  • BelfastNorthConstituency

    Belfast North Constituency

  • BelfastSouthConstituency

    Belfast South Constituency

  • BelfastWestConstituency

    Belfast West Constituency

  • EastAntrimConstituency

    East Antrim Constituency

  • EastLondonderryConstituency

    East Londonderry Constituency

  • FermanaghSouthTyroneConstituency

    Fermanagh and South Tyrone Constituency

  • FoyleConstituency

    Foyle Constituency

  • LaganValleyConstituency

    Lagan Valley Constituency

  • MidUlsterConstituency

    Mid Ulster Constituency

  • NewryArmaghConstituency

    Newry and Armagh Constituency

  • NorthAntrimConstituency

    North Antrim Constituency

  • NorthDownConstituency

    North Down Constituency

  • SouthAntrimConstituency

    South Antrim Constituency

  • SouthDownConstituency

    South Down Constituency

  • StrangfordConstituency

    Strangford Constituency

  • UpperBannConstituency

    Upper Bann Constituency

  • WestTyroneConstituency

    West Tyrone Constituency

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